JinkoSolar has introduced a new N-Type module series based on its advanced TR technology with a peak power of 405 W, specifically developed for rooftop application. Mostly known for its large scale power project, it is interesting to see JinkoSolar showing strong interest in distributed generated market by launching high end module specific for roof top applications. The world's largest solar module supplier, which is also an efficiency leader, says it is ready to roll out the product globally.
This so-called N-Type Series features an innovative technology called Tiling Ribbon (TR), which was commercialized with the Tiger series of the company end of last year. The TR technology works similar to shingling technology that eliminates the inter cell gaps of solar modules. It is an advanced combination of half cell and multibusbar (MBB) technologies with an additional change that the circular copper ribbons used for interconnection in the MBB scheme are flattened exactly at the place where cells overlap. (For background on shingling and tiling technology, see TaiyangNews Advanced Module Technology Report 2019)
This practically eliminates the inter cell spacing in a string. The N-Type Series built with 66 cells (132 half cells) is offered in two variants – with a white backsheet and black backsheet. The latter turns out to have an all-black appearance that often scores high in aesthetics. However, the black backsheet misses gains from the backsheet reflection and has a lower output power of 395 W compared to the white backsheet variant with a labelled wattage of 405 W with respective efficiencies of 21.22% and 20.9%.
Nonetheless, JinkoSolar offers a 15-year product warranty for the white backsheet variant compared to the 25 years offered with the all-black model, even though the power warranty is the same at 30 years for both.
"N type process has improved well enough in this model, featuring one of the lowest degradation rates in the industry," according to JinkoSolar. The first degradation is 1% and subsequent linear degradation is 0.4%, which is significant when compared to p-type monocrystalline values given as 2.5% and 0.55%, respectively.
JinkoSolar is also offering a utility version of the module with 78 cells (actually, 156 half cells) that also comes in two variants. However, the choice here is between monofacial or bifacial, which have a rated power of 480 W and 475 W, respectively. The n-type cell architecture results in a high bifaciality of 80% to 90%.
Last month, JinkoSolar claimed 22.49% efficiency record for its bifaical solar modules confirmed by TUV Rheinland (see JinkoSolar's New Efficiency Record For Bifacial Solar).